And james follens



(No Model.)

F. MERITSHEIMER 8v J. FOLLENS.

RAILWAY SIGNAL HOLDER.

Patented June 10l 1890.

S14/Demoni' James EoZZe/zs nd/ @mib/moo@ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK MERTSHEIMER, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, AND JAMES FOLLENS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

RAILWAY-SIG NAL HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 429,933, dated June 10, 1890.

Application filed October 18, 1889. Serial No. 327,587. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, FREDERICK MEET- SHEIMER, of Kansas City, in the county of Wyandotte and State of Kansas, and JAMES FOLLENS, of Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri, citizens of the 'United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Railroad-Signal Holders, of which the following is a specification.

ro This invention relates to an improved case or holder in which railroad time danger-signals, torpedoes, fuses, and other like signals may be kept safely and carried, the said case or holder serving also as a sta for signalr 5 iiags; and the device has for its object to keep all of the requisite signals in a convenient manner for use, and in such a manner that they shall all be readily accessible in case of emergency.

2o With these ends in view the invention consists in the improved construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

2 5 In the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal vertical section of the device complete. Fig'. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal section taken on the line a: oc of Fig. l. Fig. ft is a top View, on a larger scale, of the device,

3o with dotted lines showing the cover swung partly open. Fig. 5 is a bottom view, with dotted lines showing the cover swung partly open.

The same letters refer to the same parts in 3 5 all the figures.

A designates a hollow case of suitable length, and constructed of wood, sheet metal, leather, or any other suitable light material. The lower end B of said case is compara- 4o tively wide and flat, and it forms a casing in which railroad-torpedoes of the approved and customary kind may be kept, as shown at C C. The lower end of the case B has a sleeve D, to which is pivoted a swinging plate or cover E, which, when closed, is secured in position by a spring F, which is attached to one side of the said sleeve, and which is adapted to enter and engage a notch G, formed in the edge of the cover E. The spring E is 5o provided at its free end with an inturned clasp I-I, which at the same time forms a han- I dle, by means of which the said spring may be conveniently manipulated, and a stop or detent by which the torpedoes are prevented from rolling out ot the case in the event of the cover being accidentally swung open. The upper end I of the case A may be cylindrical or tubular in form, and it forms a casing in which time dangersignals or fuses may be safely kept. The upper end of the V6o said casing is provided with a sleeve J, constructed like the sleeve D, and provided, like the latter, with a swinging cover K, held in closed position by means of a spring L, engaging a notch N in said cover, and having an inturned outer portion C, forming a handle, and a detent by which the fuses are prevented frorn being lost if the collar should accidentally swing open.

Secured to the sleeve I or to the stai or 7o case below the said sleeve is an eye or staple I), to which is hinged a rod Q, of wire or other suitable material, the lower end of which rod may be adjusted in a catch R, secured lower down upon the case or statt A. This rod serves, asia iiag-holder,to which a flag (denoted by S) may be readily attached by passing the said rod through a seam at the edge ot' the flag, and then hooking the lower end of said rod in the catch R. It will be seen that this construction admits of the iiag .being readily and quickly exchanged for one of a different color. Y From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings hereto annexed, 8 5 the operation of our invention and its advantages will be readily understood. The several signals which are usually resorted to in case of emergency are all kept conveniently together, so that in case ot a brakeman or attendant being sent away for the purpose of signaling other trains there shall be no danger of leaving behind such signals as may be unexpectedly called for.

The device is simple in construction, and is Very easily and quickly manipulated. The springs which serve to secure the swinging covers will absolutely prevent the con tents of the cases from being lost if the covers should accidentally be opened.

IOO

It is obvious that either' of the divisions of the case may, when desired, be used for containing a variety of signaldlags or any other signals than the ones herein referred to without departing from the spirit of our invention; also, that lninor changes in the construction may, when desired, be resorted to.

Our improved signal-holder may, when desired, he made solid in its upper port ion when the fuse is not to he used.

Having thus described our invention, we claim- 1. A flag-staff made hollow for a portion of its length and provided with a sleeve having a pvoted cover provided with a notch in its outer edge, and a spring` or fastener having an inwardly-turned handle that forms a detent for the contents of the case, suhstantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A railroad-signal holder consisting of a flag-staff made fiat and hollow at its lower end, so as to form a easing or holder for railroad-torpedoes, and having' a tubular upper end forming),f a fuse-holder, each end being provided with a pivoted swinging Cover, and a spring catch or fastener for the same having an intnrned handle forming a detent for the contents of the cases, substantially as set forth.

3. A tubular or hollow ilagstatf forming a casing for railroad-signals and provided with a hinged rod and a catch for the free end of the same, said rod forming a device whereby flags may he interchangeably attached to the staff, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that We Claim the foregoing as our own We have hereto afxed our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK MERTSHEIMER. JAMES FOLLENS.

Witnesses:

R. J. MARSHALL, D. P. WOLHAUPTER. 

